The 2026 NBA Draft is just around the corner, and basketball fans everywhere are buzzing with excitement. Whether you are a die-hard fan tracking every mock draft update or a casual viewer who just wants to tune in for the big moments, this guide has everything you need — dates, times, broadcast details, top prospects, and more.
When Is the NBA Draft 2026?
The 2026 NBA Draft is a two-day event. The first round takes place on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, and the second round follows on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Both nights begin at 8:00 p.m. ET, giving fans on the East Coast prime-time access to all the drama.
This marks the third consecutive year the NBA has held its draft across two separate nights — a format that has been well-received for drawing out the suspense of each selection.
Where Is the 2026 NBA Draft Being Held?
The 2026 NBA Draft will take place at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Located just across the East River from Manhattan, the iconic arena provides the perfect stage for one of the most anticipated nights in professional basketball. The venue choice is particularly symbolic, given that the New York Knicks just wrapped up their first NBA Championship in 53 years, and the energy around basketball in the city is at an all-time high.
╔══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗ ║ 🏀 KEY POINTS SUMMARY ║ ╠══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╣ ║ 📅 Round 1 Date : Tuesday, June 23, 2026 ║ ║ 📅 Round 2 Date : Wednesday, June 24, 2026 ║ ║ 🕗 Start Time : 8:00 p.m. ET (Both Nights) ║ ║ 📍 Location : Barclays Center, Brooklyn, NY ║ ║ 📺 TV Coverage : ABC, ESPN (R1) | ESPN (R2) ║ ║ 📱 Streaming : ESPN App (Unlimited Tier) ║ ║ 🏆 No. 1 Pick : Washington Wizards ║ ║ 🌟 Top Prospect : AJ Dybantsa (BYU) ║ ╚══════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
How to Watch the 2026 NBA Draft
Catching every pick is easy with multiple viewing options available.
Television: The first round on June 23 will be broadcast live on ABC and ESPN, as well as ESPN Deportes for Spanish-language viewers. The second round on June 24 will air on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Streaming: The entire draft can be streamed live on the ESPN App with the Unlimited tier, which costs $29.99 per month or $299.99 per year. Fans can also catch a Day Pass on the ESPN App if they only want access for the draft without a full monthly commitment.
Live TV Services: Those with subscriptions to DirecTV, Fubo, Sling, or YouTube TV can also stream the draft live through those platforms.
Who Has the No. 1 Pick? The Washington Wizards Win the Lottery
The biggest pre-draft story has already been decided. The Washington Wizards won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10, converting their 14.0% odds into the top pick overall. It is the first time Washington has held the No. 1 selection since 2010, when the franchise drafted John Wall.
The Wizards finished the 2025–26 regular season with a record of 17–65 — the worst in the NBA — and were tied with the Brooklyn Nets and Indiana Pacers for the best lottery odds. Despite those long odds for any single team, the Wizards came out on top.
2026 NBA Draft Order: Top 14 Lottery Picks
Here is how the first 14 picks shake out following the lottery:
- Washington Wizards
- Utah Jazz
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Chicago Bulls
- LA Clippers (via Indiana Pacers trade)
- Brooklyn Nets
- Sacramento Kings
- Atlanta Hawks (via New Orleans Pelicans)
- Dallas Mavericks
- Milwaukee Bucks
- Golden State Warriors
- Oklahoma City Thunder (via LA Clippers)
- Miami Heat
- Charlotte Hornets
The remaining first-round picks (15–30) and the entire second round (31–60) are ordered in reverse of teams’ regular-season records.
Top Prospects to Watch in the 2026 NBA Draft
Analysts across the board have called this one of the deepest draft classes in recent memory. Here is a look at the players expected to lead the way.
AJ Dybantsa – BYU (Projected No. 1)
The consensus favorite to go first overall, Dybantsa is a 6-foot-9 forward from BYU who has drawn comparisons to some of the game’s most versatile wings. All 10 major mock drafts surveyed by NBA.com projected him as the No. 1 selection heading into draft week. He is a physical, multi-dimensional prospect the Wizards could build their rebuild around.
Darryn Peterson – Kansas (Projected No. 2)
Peterson is widely regarded as the most gifted scorer in this entire draft class. A guard with rare shot creation and a knack for long-range shooting, he is viewed as a swing-and-miss, high-ceiling talent with legitimate star potential. ESPN’s final big board actually has Peterson at No. 1 overall, giving him a realistic shot at going ahead of Dybantsa depending on Washington’s final decision.
Cameron Boozer – Duke (Projected No. 3)
The son of former NBA big man Carlos Boozer, Cameron Boozer is a highly-polished power forward out of Duke University. He brings a combination of interior scoring, rebounding, and basketball IQ that has drawn praise from scouts throughout the draft process. Memphis is expected to be his landing spot at pick No. 3.
Caleb Wilson – North Carolina (Projected No. 4)
Wilson is a long, versatile forward from the University of North Carolina who has been seen as one of the safest picks in this class. His combination of size, athleticism, and skill has kept him firmly in the top four of virtually every major mock draft.
Keaton Wagler – (Projected No. 5)
Wagler emerged as one of the most consistent performers in college basketball this season, standing 6-foot-6 and playing with a change-of-pace style that works at both guard positions. His versatility makes him a particularly strong fit for the LA Clippers, who already have point guard Darius Garland running the show.
What Is at Stake for the Wizards at No. 1?
Washington’s selection will be the most analyzed pick of the night. The Wizards spent recent seasons rebuilding aggressively, trading for veteran stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis last year while also accumulating draft capital. Now, they have the opportunity to add a potential franchise cornerstone with the No. 1 pick.
Both Dybantsa and Peterson have been discussed as genuine options for Washington, and the choice between the two — a proven scorer versus an athletic, versatile wing — could define the next decade of Wizards basketball.
Is the 2026 Draft Class Really That Good?
Multiple analysts and scouts have called this class historically deep. Beyond the clear top four of Dybantsa, Peterson, Boozer, and Wilson, the talent extends well into the mid-lottery range. Players like Darius Acuff Jr., Aday Mara, Brayden Burries, and Mikel Brown Jr. are all drawing significant first-round interest. Nine different prospects appeared in the lottery range across all 10 major mock drafts reviewed ahead of the event — an unusually consistent indicator of depth.
2026 NBA Draft Combine Recap
Before the draft itself, the 2026 AWS NBA Draft Combine was held in Chicago from May 10–17. More than 73 players participated in agility testing, shooting drills, and team interviews. The combine data, hosted through the AWS platform, provided teams with measurable insights that have continued to influence draft board movement heading into draft week.
FAQ: 2026 NBA Draft Date and Time
Q: What time does the 2026 NBA Draft start? Both nights of the draft begin at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Q: Where is the 2026 NBA Draft? Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Q: What channel is the 2026 NBA Draft on? Round 1 is on ABC and ESPN. Round 2 is on ESPN.
Q: Can I stream the 2026 NBA Draft? Yes — on the ESPN App with the Unlimited tier, or through live TV services like YouTube TV, Fubo, Sling, and DirecTV.
Q: Who has the first pick in the 2026 NBA Draft? The Washington Wizards, who won the 2026 NBA Draft Lottery on May 10.
Q: How many picks are in the 2026 NBA Draft? There are 60 total picks — 30 in each round. This is the first draft since 2021 with a full 60 picks, as no teams forfeited second-round selections for free agency violations.
Q: Who is the projected No. 1 pick? BYU’s AJ Dybantsa leads virtually every major mock draft, though Kansas guard Darryn Peterson is also in the conversation.
Who do you think the Wizards should pick at No. 1 — AJ Dybantsa or Darryn Peterson? Drop your take in the comments and bookmark this page for live updates on draft night!